Chapter 178
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Instant Intestinal Relief
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"Acupuncture in the arm?"
Roberto tilted his head.
He didn't seem familiar with Korean medicine treatments. Even among Koreans—and patients who came to the clinic on their own—there were plenty who'd never tried acupuncture before, so this was hardly unusual.
Different cultures mean they wouldn't know much about how we treat things.
"Whoa, you're confident enough to get an immediate effect with a distant point? Where exactly?"
But Hwang Seoyeong, why are you surprised?
"If it's just one, it'd be here."
I firmly pressed the Intestinal Gate acupoint.
Three finger widths up from the base of the wrist on the pinky side.
Stimulating it made Roberto grimace.
"Ow, why does that hurt?"
"Intestines don't feel great when they're off. It reveals organ issues and lets you treat them right there."
Hwang Seoyeong asked me,
"What's this point? Zhizheng? Small Intestine meridian?"
"It's on the Small Intestine line, but midway between Yanggu and Zhizheng. Intestinal Gate."
It's fairly well-known as a point that helps you hold it in when you really have to go.
It regulates intestinal hypersensitivity and activity, making it versatile for acute or chronic enteritis, diarrhea, and other gut issues.
"Isn't Intestinal Gate on the side of the body?"
"That's the Liver meridian's Chapter Gate. This is Dong's acupuncture Intestinal Gate."
"Oh? You studied Dong's acupuncture too?"
Don't we use Intestinal Gate more than Zhizheng?
I might not memorize everything, but I make use of the useful ones.
At school, we crammed and tested on the principal meridian points of the 14 meridians, but there are plenty of extra meridian points worth knowing too.
"Nothing beats Dong's for instant effects."
"True. Back when Professor Kim Seongcheol was around, he'd tap the hand with it and the leg would move right away, right?"
Who was Professor Kim Seongcheol again?
I remembered acupoint names easily, but recalling forgotten people was trickier.
"I saw it once during an observation..."
Ah.
He was the acupuncture professor at my alma mater before Professor Lee Minseok.
I vaguely recalled my hospital internship days too.
Needling a few points on the patient's hand and watching the foot move—I'd predict treatment progress from that.
The reactions were so immediate that patients were always amazed and thrilled.
"Alright, here it goes. It'll just sting on the way in."
Should I give it a try?
"Ahh."
"Try moving a little."
I'd originally planned multiple needles along the Small and Large Intestine meridians, but one for drama's sake worked better.
"Breathe comfortably. Inhale—"
I twisted the needle slightly and pushed qi deep inside.
Not textbook Dong's even supplementation and drainage, but it should move the qi just fine.
"Hand on your belly for a sec."
One hand stimulated the needle; the other directly mobilized the digestive organs.
And as I pulled the needle out...
"Roberto, how's it feel?"
Hwang Seoyeong asked with eager excitement.
I knew the churning qi had settled moments ago, so the result was obvious to me.
"It was boiling until just now, but nothing!"
"Really? Thank goodness!"
They were both stunned.
"Wow, Yeowon, you're a true master. Feels like you're even better than Grandpa in his prime? No wonder you're getting famous."
"Doesn't Emperor Teacher stand up paraplegics?"
"Ugh, that was probably a fluke. Can't be replicated... something only he can do."
Professor Kim Seongcheol had demonstrated it once in the past.
A patient carried in on a stretcher stood up after Emperor's needling—the shock stuck with me to this day.
Of course, I'd never seen Hwang Sanghun do it. Maybe he left the family early without full transmission, but from the talk, even his kids couldn't.
...Is Emperor the only one innately gifted at reading and channeling qi?
Maybe that's how he picks patients for those dramatic cures?
Of course, it could all be showmanship.
Hwang Seoyeong looked like she couldn't say it outright, but I doubted it somehow.
"Anyway, you're good now, so let's head out. Ice cream crawl might be too much, though."
"Thank you! I don't know how it's so much better. You've helped me twice now."
"This was nothing."
Don't say 'grace' or 'grudge' stuff—it's giving me neurosis. Not just for a while, but normal people never hear it till they die!
The three of us moved to a porridge restaurant.
Do Westerners eat porridge for upset stomachs? Congee? Soup?
Roberto was fine with porridge and followed us.
He pointed at the most vibrant item on the menu.
"How about this?"
"You sure? It's spicy."
"I'm all better."
He'd pointed at spicy dried pollack porridge.
I'd just barely treated him—spicy food right away?
"Hey, stop him!"
In the end, Roberto ordered veggie porridge, and I scored premium abalone porridge.
The ice cream hopping—and checking out shop spots—were just excuses anyway.
I'd anticipated it before even coming to Seoul.
No matter the food in front of them, their budding romance flowed on.
I subtly sensed Mario's suppressed presence as I nodded nonchalantly.
"Got plans tonight?"
"Yeah."
"Songpa branch? Still can't believe my friend runs the network."
"Kim Director handles it fine. Me popping in would just be a nuisance. Meeting someone else instead."
"Like a business meet? Like that Lee... Chairman last time?"
Half business, half personal—like with Chairman Lee, probably.
"Take care~ Hit me up next time! I'll visit yours sometime."
"Sure, have your pretty little romance."
The person I was meeting this time was none other than...
Dr. Shin Jin-ho.
Nephew of Shin Ye-jin, who'd bought all those candy varieties before.
Having tested the taste and effects, he'd approached me formally about selling them at his clinic.
We'd settled supply and sale prices, even ironed out a written contract.
But then he wanted an in-person meeting?
I'd said he could come down, but since I had business in Seoul anyway, we set it in the capital area.
"Wow, it's an honor to meet you!"
Shin Jin-ho was in his forties—a younger doctor than expected.
When I first heard "uncle," I'd assumed he was Kim Chunsik's age.
"Heard so much from my niece. You're incredibly skilled—even have hymns about you..."
"That's exaggerated."
"Saw you on TV! Lemon soda, right? Those kids spread Korean medicine's excellence on network TV thanks to you."
"Melon Soda Horizon. ...They really sang that on TV?"
"Hahaha!"
Damn—even Emperor Teacher doesn't have hymns.
"Pure luck, getting praise for standard treatment. Embarrassing."
"Not at all. Word's spreading about your clinical skills and business savvy."
"Rumors?"
Last community check showed nothing much.
Only buzz when clashing with Haneul Clinic—haven't trended since.
"Yes. Comes up constantly in Korean medicine soccer groups and Overattack chats. They'll be jealous I met you."
...Offline talk, huh.
Really? I don't play much Total Game, and offline sports groups center on the capital, so I skipped those small circles.
Influencer spots probably buzz with all kinds of gossip.
Might be cherry-picking the good stuff, but it didn't feel bad.
Before signing, Shin Jin-ho asked a bunch of questions.
"How'd you think of opening a clinic right after graduation? The band guys were pure chance?"
Some personal...
"Product dev at what stage? Am I joining at prototype?"
...business-related too, naturally.
"Supply products are done. More coming, of course. Decoction room's nearly ready for public launch."
"Ooh, taking custom decoction orders like regular rooms?"
"Yes. Site's almost done; planning some modest promo."
The decoction room I'd planned since network start was nearly complete.
Certifications done; internal test prescriptions prepped for proper site use.
"First outside the network for me? Honored! Heard the herbs are top-notch."
Really? Even that circulating?
"Network in/out will have tiered supply pricing..."
"Of course! Even accounting for that, wanna try it."
Shin Jin-ho brimmed with enthusiasm to order once the site launched.
Our herbs and prices beat standard, so I expected few orders.
But if demand like he said? Hire more for decoction room? Separate from An Ju-hee?
"Signed. Looking forward to working together!"
"Yes, me too."
Thus, I wrapped personal stuff and meetings over the weekend, heading back to Busan.
The latter I thought quick, but sociable Shin Jin-ho shared industry gossip—an unexpected boon.
The next day. Clinic treatment room.
"Meeting went great."
Jeon Yuri's words made me flinch slightly.
But she couldn't know about my meeting.
She meant her overseas one.
"No severe pain while abroad? How during treatment break?"
"So much better."
Jeon Yuri smiled, touched.
No acupuncture for days, but meds held her steady.
"Mind if I ask what meds?"
"Sure. Not on the guide?"
"Ingredients listed, but no name. Like Shuanghua Decoction or Gegen Decoction."
"Ah, modified Clear-Headache Relief Decoction, the go-to for qi stagnation real headache. Lots added/removed, so maybe skipped base name."
Clear-Headache Relief Decoction clears upper heat, relieves pain, restores balance.
"Makes sense. Locals get lots of migraines? That's why I asked."
"Did you give it?"
"Nah, couldn't. Paid premium, brought it back. Misusing meds is common sense, right?"
True. Though plenty ignore it.
"Said I'd ask and let know. You improved pre-meds too? Told them acupuncture's main—they were bummed."
"Which country? No acupuncturists?"
Some presence in Korea/China at least.
"Saudi. Searched—maybe one or two spots."
Ah, Saudi Arabia. Middle East slipped my mind.
"Not familiar there. If any, send them. Need 10+ sessions steady."
"Will do. Phone Rx tough too?"
"Yeah... probably."
Not ideal.
Symptoms to Rx easy, but no build, complexion, pulse info.
Even so, overseas shipping risks—storage/handling issues blur responsibility.
"Clear-Headache pills at pharmacies better. Less dose, though. Avoid if frail."
Pharma version safer than custom risks.
"Don't worry. Just checking. They'll manage at clinics. Only told locals in Korea to come."
Jeon Yuri smiled reassuringly.
Wish I could help, but out of reach.
"Saudi here in Korea with migraines too?"
"Yes. Met one recently—ambassador has similar symptoms."
...Huh?